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The Metro Expo Line expanded from Culver City to Downtown Santa Monica in May 2016, opening up a new world of public transportation and dining possibilities. The light-rail now passes through a wealth of different cultures that capture L.A.’s brilliant diversity. From Downtown L.A. to the Santa Monica Pier, learn about 10 reliable dining options within a three-block walk of stations along the Expo Line.
Highland Park is the Los Angeles neighborhood of the moment thanks to a recent renaissance that has bolstered its community of small, local businesses. Long standing, family-run shops have been joined by new-to-the-neighborhood restaurants, bars and retailers. Enjoying superb accessibility from other parts of L.A. thanks to the Metro Gold Line, Highland Park has become a dining and libational destination with a diverse set of choices thanks to longtime resident families, as well as artists, musicians and designers.
With so many choices, it might be hard know which food and drink stops are the highlights. Read on for a cross-section of Highland Park restaurants and bars that reflects the richness of the area’s diversity.
A hilly area situated between Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena along the Arroyo Seco, Highland Park is one of L.A.’s oldest settled areas. In the early 20th century, Highland Park and Pasadena were known as havens for the artists and intellectuals who led the Arts & Crafts movement. In the 1960s and 70s, it became populated predominantly with Latinos and other ethnic groups.
In the 2000s, Highland Park once again became a mecca for creatives, who were attracted by the historic Craftsman homes and relatively low rents. Trendy shops, galleries, restaurants and bars have opened along Figueroa Street and York Boulevard, with businesses on both streets being the reasons why Highland Park is the hot L.A. neighborhood of the moment. But there are many hidden gems in the area that are off the beaten path and worth checking out, both old and new.
Many restaurant happy hours in Los Angeles have taken on whole new style. No longer is it considered a time to get "not very interesting cheap eats"— rather, if you choose your destination carefully, you may very well find some favorite dishes at a lower price. A number of restaurants are now shaking up the traditional happy hour model with a twist, adding late night happy hours to the mix. Although some fall late in the evening, others could very well replace a meal at a more reasonable time. With that in mind, check out some stellar "reverse" happy hours that will appeal to every taste.
There are many tales about the origin of the Margarita, but what is known are the basic ingredients: tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and salt on the glass rim. These days, the Margarita can be found in many creative variations using tequila, mezcal, and other agave spirits, along with fresh fruit, herbs, and spices—shaken, stirred, or blended and served in a variety of glassware.
No matter what ingredients are used and how it’s prepared, what can be agreed upon is that the Margarita is a most celebratory drink—in a "party" kind of way. So, cheers to good times and to the best places to find Margaritas in Los Angeles.
Founded in Baldwin Park in 1948, In-N-Out Burger became a cult favorite in Southern California and has grown to more than 300 locations across the West Coast and Southwest. Celebrity fans include Tom Hanks, who told Conan O'Brien on The Tonight Show that In-N-Out is "one of the true great things about Los Angeles." With locations across L.A. County, there's always something to do within a few miles of an In-N-Out. From world-famous attractions to hidden gems, here are the best things to do near In-N-Out-Burger locations in L.A.
Los Angeles is a place filled with opportunity. No matter what you may want to eat or want to have done, there’s always somewhere in this city that you can get it. The melding of different cultures represented by all the various neighborhoods means that every community is bringing something to the table, making the city more than the sum of its parts.
In the wee hours of the night, however, our choices become quite a bit more scarce outside of normal business hours. So it proves helpful to know just which businesses are open 24 hours during one of your odd hour cravings. Whether you’re in the mood for Korean food, donuts, the spa, a chili burger, or even bowling, we’ve got a list of places where you can get just that no matter what time of day it is.
Middle Eastern cuisine has recently expanded from "mom and pops" and into James Beard Award-winning mainstream restaurants. Hummus and pita were the first crossovers to appear on menus at large chains; kabobs and falafels are becoming as familiar as spaghetti and meatballs; and a popular Middle Eastern breakfast dish, shakshuka - eggs baked in a spicy tomato/pepper sauce - now appears on menus alongside pancakes and French toast.
Spices such as sumac, za’atar, dukkah and harissa are now listed in menus. Other notable ingredients include freekah, an ancient whole-wheat grain poised to be the new quinoa; labneh (yogurt cheese) is featured as a topping, creamy mix-in, or dessert base; and pomegranates are used for its seeds and molasses.
Middle Eastern restaurants have been part of the Los Angeles dining scene for decades. Some of the best eateries in L.A. are located in mini malls and owned by families from Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Armenia, Morocco, Greece, Iran and other countries in the eastern Mediterranean. Meet the chefs and learn about the restaurants at the forefront of the new wave of modern Middle Eastern cuisine in Los Angeles.
Parts of Venice may have gotten fancy. But the neighborhood’s artsy, hippie side is still very much intact - in the people, the colorful murals on the sides of buildings and even residences, and most certainly on the world-famous Venice Boardwalk. Kids and adults alike find Venice easy to love. Here are 12 of the many reasons it’s one of the most desirable places for families to visit and live in Southern California.
Soft serve has come a long way from Fosters Freeze and Dairy Queen — combining creativity, whimsy, and decadence with a certain amount of health and environmental consciousness. Along with all that, it tastes better than ever. With several trendsetting shops in a two-mile radius, Koreatown seems to be the hub of some of the most innovative soft serve around. From the classic cone to artisanal chef-driven creations with amusing toppings and quirky names, here are ten of the best soft serve places in L.A.